Iran, Pakistan Return Ambassadors Shortly After Border Tensions

Iran and Pakistan have returned their ambassadors respectively to Islamabad and Tehran after the mutual ties were frayed over the IRGC’s attack in the Pakistani territory.

Reza Amiri Moqadam, Iran’s ambassador to Pakistan, arrived in the capital city Islamabad on Saturday, reported Tasnim news agency, affiliated with the IRGC.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian will pay an official visit to Islamabad on Monday at the invitation of his Pakistani counterpart, the report added.

Meanwhile, Muhammad Mudassir Tipu, Pakistan’s ambassador to Tehran, handed over his credentials to Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi.

Iran and Pakistan have “unbreakable bonds” which are rooted in their common religion, culture and civilization, Raisi told the ambassador, further stressing that the border between the two countries must be protected against “insecurities.”

United Nations Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric hailed as “a positive development” the resumption of “good relations” between Iran and Pakistan, adding that it will benefit the stability in the region.

On January 17, the IRGC attacked several positions in Iraq’ Kurdistan region, Syria and Pakistan in what it called an attempt to target terrorists and Israeli agents. Pakistan retaliated by attacking locations in southeastern Iran.

The insurgent Sunni Baluch group known as Jaish al-Adl (Army of Justice) has been a source of tension between Iran and its nuclear neighbor, Pakistan, for years.

Iranian officials have on several occasions in the past decade, including in 2019, complained that Islamabad has taken no action against the members of Jaish al-Adl finding refuge in its territory despite Iran's provision of relevant information, including locations of the militants’ hideouts.